For nine months, we debated names for our baby boy. There were serious contenders along with the not-so-serious, names that one of us liked but the other didn’t, and of course Dave and friends tossed out plenty of silly names that were never really in the running. By the time we got to the hospital on Dec. 27, we had managed to agree on a short list of possibilities: Cooper Jackson Wyatt Cash Logan William...

We still don’t have a name for the little pickle. All throughout this pregnancy, Dave has made suggestions. A few of them have been good. Most of them, however, have made me stop and ask “are you serious or are you joking?” Sometimes I really can’t tell. Here are some of the names he’s suggested: Van Halen (Yes, like the band. No, I don’t know if he means “Van” for...

Pregnant women are cranky. I can say that, because I am one. Pregnant, that is, not cranky. I keep reading articles on pregnancy websites where pregnant women talk about all the things you shouldn’t say to a pregnant woman, or do to a pregnant woman, or buy for a pregnant woman. And I think it’s common knowledge that pregnant women hate it when people touch their belly, especially without asking....

Baby has been in a breech position for quite some time now. This has caused some consternation for his mother, because we haven’t been able to get decent ultrasound pictures of him and also because it complicates his delivery if he doesn’t change his position. Our doctor ordered yet another sonogram to see if he had changed positions yet. We’ve had like six sonograms now, which is about five more...

Last month, we had our “fun scan.” We hoped to get a great picture of our baby boy, but alas he was stubborn and shy and wouldn’t move his legs from in front of his face. He was uncooperative enough that the doctor’s office let us reschedule the scan. We went back the following week. And discovered that the little pickle was STILL uncooperative or shy or stubborn. The technician spent a lot...

Co-ed baby showers are increasingly common, though the boys in my world don’t seem to realize it. Our good friends Heather and Michelle offered to host a co-ed baby shower for us that included Dave’s bar staff and friends. We thought this was a great idea, since many of our friends happen to be male and it would also be an opportunity for Dave to be involved in a shower. After all, it’s fun to...

We had good intentions of documenting my growing belly in pictures, but we haven’t been very diligent nor are we good photographers. I started to think we needed professional help to document this important time in our livesâ€” plus, good pictures would be easy Christmas gifts for our family! A few weeks ago, I scheduled an appointment for pictures with Casey Wright Photography. I’ve known Casey for a...

It’s probably expected that our baby would have pint-sized attire from our own bar (and he does, and there will be more), but we didn’t expect to receive baby clothes from other bars. A few weeks ago, a package arrived at the bar addressed to Dave. Inside we found a note from bartender Red at Kelly’s Westport Inn in Kansas City, along with a Kelly’s-logo’d baby T-shirt and a onesie...

Baby’s room is starting to overflow with clothes, toys, blankets and other baby stuff, thanks to the generosity of our friends and family and my inability to stay away from baby clothes. There really are cute baby boy clothesâ€” who knew?! Some of the very first gifts the little pickle received last summer are very special to us. We spend a lot of time and money at our favorite hardware store, the local...

I bet you didn’t consider Tums candy, did you. Neither did I, until I started popping them like jelly beans and candy corn. One of the worst parts of this pregnancy, besides swollen feet, is the heartburn. (Yes, those are the worst parts. And I fully realize they aren’t that bad. I’ve said it beforeâ€” I’m lucky.) Anyway, the heartburn started about a month ago, an icky feeling of a burning...